The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seems to get a great deal of pleasure making rules difficult to understand, especially when it comes to pilot certification. That’s why we have taken the liberty to help break it down and draw some clarity on exactly what you need to do become a fully certificated Private Pilot!
Under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 61, you will find all the requirements that the FAA has created for various pilot licenses. In Subpart E, we specifically can see the requirements for the Private Pilot License. Let’s take a look:
§61.103 Eligibility Requirements
In this section of the regulations, the FAA describes all of the things a person must do, in general, to qualify for the Private Pilot License. Some of the wording has been edited for easier comprehension.
Be at least 17 years old
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate
Receive written verification from an instructor that all training was completed.
Meet the aeronautical experience requirements detailed in a later section.
Pass the required FAA aeronautical knowledge written test for Private Pilots
Pass a practical test with a designated FAA examiner also known as a "Checkride"
§61.105 Aeronautical Knowledge
These are the areas that the FAA requires pilots to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of in order to qualify for the Private License. These areas are evaluated during the written and checkride exams.
Must have knowledge of the applicable FAA regulations that pertain to Private Pilots.
Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
How to use specific government aviation manuals and safety publications.
Knowledge of how to use aeronautical charts for navigation and planning.
Stall awareness, spin entry, and spin recovery techniques
Preflight including planning and inspections
How to communicate with air traffic control
Knowledge of weather, forecasts, and how it affects safety of flight and proper planning.
Safe and efficient operation of aircraft and how to avoid hazardous situations.
Aircraft performance and calculations.
knowledge of aerodynamics, aircraft engines, and aircraft systems.
Aeronautical decision making and excising safe pilot judgment
§61.109 Aeronautical Experience
For those pursuing a Private Pilot License to fly airplanes that are single-engine land (ASEL) the following experience requirements apply under this section. If you want to fly aircraft with multiple engines or if the aircraft is a seaplane, separate training requirements are perscribed.
Students must complete a total of at least 40 hours of flight training.
– 20 hours must have been completed with a flight instructor.
– 10 hours must be flown solo by the student.
3 hours of cross-country flight training
3 hours of night flight training which must include:
– One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
– 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
3 hours of flight by reference only to the flight Instrument (IFR) training.
3 hours of training with an instructor to prepare for the Checkride. (within 2 calendar months of test)
5 hours of solo cross country time
One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations.
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